Is Breathwork Permissible in Islam if It Induces Intense Thoughts?
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
Is it permissible to practice breathwork to manage anxiety if it sometimes induces altered states or intense thoughts about death and other scenarios?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.
I pray you are in good faith and health. Thank you for your question.
I would advise you to practice breathwork that is rooted in Islam and comes with some form of guidance and supervision. This way, you will gradually be able to benefit and protect yourself from entering unsuitable or intense unwarranted thoughts.
If one can find a religious practice and experiential work from authorities, then one should follow and do as such.
Various types of breathwork rooted in different religions should be avoided. Some of these practices are integral to their belief systems and need to be completely avoided. Instead, seek out approaches rooted in Islam, such as the one linked below, which is practiced by various authoritative Sufi tariqas around the world in the form of and breathing exercises and vigilance (muraqaba). See the detailed links below.
As every moment of our lives is valuable and can be a source of future regret in this world and the Next, why not engage in actions that create a form of remembrance and help alleviate anxiety and distress from our daily upheavals?
Regret of Not Remembering Allah More
Mu’adh ibn Jabal (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said,
“The people of Paradise will have no regrets, except for moments that passed by them in which they did not remember Allah.” [Tabarani, al-Mu‘jam al-Kabir]
People of Paradise will be Grieved by Forgetting Allah
Abu Hurayra (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said,
“No people sit in a gathering in which they did not remember Allah, nor send blessings upon the Prophet, but that it will cause them grief on the Day of Resurrection, even if they are rewarded with entry into Paradise.” [Ahmad]
Please share the valuable answers and links below. Insha’Allah, they will provide you with guidance and direction.
Related
- Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercise
- How Does One Practice Muraqaba? – SeekersGuidance
- Muraqaba (Vigilance): The Key to Comprehensive Good – Al-Maqasid Podcast – Shaykh Yahya Rhodus
- Watching Over Oneself – Living Hearts Series
- Standing Vigil Over Myself
- Watching Over Oneself – Living Hearts Series: Shaykh Faraz Rabbani—Video
Why not begin your search for knowledge by signing up for a course on SeekersGuidance? You can choose from the Islamic Studies Curriculum and progress through each course step by step.
I pray this helps with your question.
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Mawlana Ilyas Patel has received a traditional education in various countries. He started his schooling in the UK and completed his hifz of the Quran in India. After that, he joined an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied secular and Aalimiyya sciences. Later, he traveled to Karachi, Pakistan, and other Middle Eastern countries to further his education. Mawlana has served as an Imam in the Republic of Ireland for several years and taught the Quran and other Islamic sciences to both children and adults. He also worked as a teacher and librarian at a local Islamic seminary in the UK for 12 years. Presently, he lives in the UK with his wife and is interested in books and gardening.
